Senate Labor Committee clears 'Boss Bill' for floor vote

By Kelly Fay

The Senate Labor Committee on Tuesday advanced legislation known as the Boss Bill, which would prevent employers from discriminating against employees based on their reproductive health decisions. The legislation was unanimously supported by the committee, with the exception of Sen. Greg Ball, who did not enter a vote, and it will now be sent to the Senate floor for a first reading.

"If you're an employee who's using the health insurance provided by your employer, your employer should not have the right to use the information they glean about you against you just because they do not approve of what kind of health care you seek," Senate sponsor Liz Krueger explained.

Krueger, D-Manhattan, said New Yorkers may be surprised to know that an employer is able to fire an employee on the grounds they religiously object to certain reproductive decisions such as using contraception, becoming pregnant outside of wedlock, or taking advantage of fertility enhancement procedures.

http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-06-04-88150.113122-Senate-Labor-Committee-clears-Boss-Bill-for-floor-vote.html